How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost Per Square Foot in Utah?

By Bryan, Level Up Concrete & Landscape | March 31, 2026

If you’re planning a new patio in the Salt Lake City area, the first question on your mind is probably: what is this going to cost me? The answer depends on the finish you want, the size of the slab, and a few site-specific factors that can move the number up or down. We pour patios across the Wasatch Front every week, so here’s a straightforward breakdown based on what we actually charge in 2026.

Quick Answer: Concrete Patio Cost Per Square Foot

For a standard broom-finish concrete patio in Utah, expect to pay $6–$8 per square foot installed. If you want stamped or decorative concrete, the range jumps to $12–$18 per square foot depending on the pattern complexity and color work involved.

Those numbers include materials, labor, forming, finishing, and basic site prep. They assume reasonably flat ground with decent access for a concrete truck. If your yard has challenges—steep slopes, tight gates, or old concrete that needs to come out first—the price adjusts accordingly.

Cost Breakdown by Finish Type

Here’s what each finish typically runs for a 300-square-foot patio, which is a popular size for a backyard entertaining area:

Finish Type	Cost Per Sq Ft	300 Sq Ft Patio
Standard (broom finish)	$6–$8	$1,800–$2,400
Colored concrete	$8–$12	$2,400–$3,600
Stamped concrete	$12–$18	$3,600–$5,400
Exposed aggregate	$10–$15	$3,000–$4,500

These ranges reflect typical residential projects in the Salt Lake City metro area. Larger patios (500+ square feet) usually come in at the lower end per square foot since the fixed costs of mobilization, forming, and cleanup get spread across more area.

What Affects the Price

No two patios are exactly the same, and several factors can push your project above or below the averages listed above.

Patio Size

Bigger patios cost more total but less per square foot. A 200-square-foot patio might run $8 per square foot for standard concrete, while a 500-square-foot pour could come down to $6. The concrete truck is already there, and the crew is already set up—adding more square footage is the most efficient part of the job.

Finish and Design Complexity

A basic broom finish is the most affordable option. Once you add integral color, stamped patterns, or borders with contrasting colors, the material and labor costs increase. Multi-pattern stamped work with hand-stained accents sits at the top of the price range.

Site Access

If a concrete truck can back right up to the pour area, that keeps costs down. If the crew needs to wheelbarrow or pump concrete through a narrow side yard or over a fence, expect to add $500–$1,500 depending on the difficulty.

Demolition of Old Concrete

Tearing out an existing slab and hauling it away typically adds $2–$4 per square foot to the project. For a 300-square-foot patio, that’s an extra $600–$1,200 before the new pour even starts.

Grading and Base Prep

A good patio starts with a solid, well-compacted base. If the grade needs significant adjustment to ensure proper drainage away from your house, that adds labor and sometimes material costs for imported gravel or fill.

Utah-Specific Factors That Affect Patio Costs

Homeowners here in Utah deal with a couple of things that don’t always come up in national cost guides.

Clay Soils Require Better Base Prep

Much of the Wasatch Front sits on expansive clay soils. Clay shifts with moisture—it swells when wet and shrinks when dry. That movement can crack a patio if the base isn’t done right. We typically install a thicker gravel base (4–6 inches of compacted road base) on clay soils compared to what you might get away with in sandier regions. This adds a bit to the cost but saves you from cracking and settling down the road. It’s the same principle behind proper driveway thickness—cutting corners on the base is a false economy.

Winter Scheduling Discounts

Concrete season in Utah runs roughly from April through November. Most homeowners want their patio poured in the spring or early summer so they can enjoy it all season. That means contractors are busiest (and least flexible on pricing) from April through July. If your timeline is flexible, scheduling for late fall or early spring can sometimes save you 10–15%. We still pour when temperatures allow, and the concrete cures just fine with proper cold-weather precautions.

Hidden Costs People Forget

The per-square-foot price is only part of the picture. Here are the extras that catch homeowners off guard:

• Permits: Many Utah cities require a permit for concrete work, especially if it connects to the house or changes drainage patterns. Permit fees typically run $50–$200 depending on your municipality.
• Demo and removal: If you have an existing patio, the old concrete has to come out first. This is a separate line item from the new pour.
• Grading and drainage: If the yard slopes toward the house or has standing water issues, correcting the grade before pouring is non-negotiable. Skipping this step leads to water problems in your basement or crawl space.
• Sealing: A quality concrete sealer protects your patio from moisture penetration, freeze-thaw damage, and staining. We recommend sealing any new patio, and it’s especially important for stamped and colored concrete. Budget an extra $1–$2 per square foot for professional sealing.
• Steps and borders: If your patio includes a step-down, raised border, or transition to an existing slab, those details add forming and finishing time.

Stamped Concrete vs. Standard: When Is the Upgrade Worth It?

A stamped patio costs roughly twice as much as standard concrete. Is it worth the extra money? For most homeowners, it comes down to how visible the patio is and how much time you spend out there.

If the patio is your main outdoor living space—where you grill, entertain, and hang out on summer evenings—the upgrade to stamped or colored concrete makes a noticeable difference in how the space looks and feels. You get the appearance of natural stone, slate, or brick at a fraction of the cost of those materials.

If the patio is a simple utility pad behind the garage or a side-yard walkway, standard broom-finish concrete does the job perfectly well. Save the decorative budget for the spaces where you actually see and use it.

Not sure whether stamped concrete or pavers make more sense for your project? We compared the two options in detail: Stamped Concrete vs. Pavers: Cost, Pros & Cons.

How to Save Money on Your Concrete Patio

There are a few practical ways to keep your patio project within budget without sacrificing quality:

• Bundle with other work: If you’re also doing a driveway, walkway, or any other concrete work, doing it all in one project saves on mobilization costs and usually gets you a better per-square-foot rate. We handle concrete, landscaping, fencing, and decking, so bundling is easy.
• Schedule in the off-season: As mentioned, late fall and early spring can mean better pricing and faster scheduling since the demand is lower.
• Keep the design simple: A single stamped pattern with one color costs significantly less than multi-pattern work with hand-applied accent colors. Sometimes a clean, simple design looks better anyway.
• Choose the right size: Measure out the area you actually need. A 300-square-foot patio that gets used fully is a better investment than a 500-square-foot patio with dead space you never sit on.
• Get multiple quotes: Talk to at least two or three contractors. Just make sure you’re comparing the same scope—same thickness, same base prep, same finish—so the quotes are apples to apples.

Concrete Patio vs. Pavers: A Quick Comparison

Pavers are the other popular option for patios in Utah. They typically run $15–$25 per square foot installed, which puts them above stamped concrete in most cases. Pavers have the advantage of being individually replaceable if one cracks, but they require more maintenance over time—weeds grow between joints, pavers can shift and become uneven, and they need to be re-sanded periodically.

Concrete (especially stamped) gives you a seamless surface that’s easier to maintain and generally costs less upfront. For a full side-by-side comparison, check out our stamped concrete vs. pavers guide.

Get an Exact Price for Your Patio

Every patio is different, and online estimates can only get you so far. The best way to know exactly what your project will cost is to get a quote based on your actual yard, your preferred finish, and any site-specific factors like access or demolition.

We provide free, no-obligation estimates for concrete patios across Salt Lake City, Utah County, and Davis County. We’ll walk your yard, talk through your options, and give you a clear, written price with no hidden fees.